VoxxLife

To understand the development and impact of VOXX HPT, one has to understand the relationship between the human peripheral nervous system and brain stem and various nuclei therein.

​

The peripheral nervous system (PNS) connects the central nervous system to environmental stimuli to gather sensory input and create motor output. The PNS coordinates action and responses by sending signals from one part of the body to another (From the various receptors such as mechanoreceptors and dermatomes to the brainstem). The PNS includes all other sensory neurons, clusters of neurons called ganglia, and connector neurons that attach to the brainstem and other neurons.

​

The brainstem connects the rest of the brain with the spinal cord. It consists of the midbrain, medulla oblongata, and the pons. The primary input into the brainstem are through the Area Postrema (AP) and Nucleus Tractus Solitarius (NTS). Motor and sensory neurons extend through the brainstem, allowing for the relay of signals between the brain and spinal cord. Ascending neural pathways cross in this section of the brain, allowing the left hemisphere of the cerebrum to control the right side of the body and vice versa. The brainstem coordinates motor control signals sent from the brain to the body. It also controls several important functions of the body including pain management, alertness, arousal, breathing, blood pressure, digestion, heart rate, swallowing, walking, posture, stability and sensory and motor information integration.

​

Additionally, decades of research into dysfunction and disorders of the brainstem and associated impact on the nervous system and body, also point to the direct and likely benefits of a brainstem not in dysfunction or disorder, or seemingly in homeostasis.

​

Our research has led to a number of conclusions and developments. Firstly, we have concluded that these different receptors (parts of the PNS) do have an integrative relationship between themselves and do correlate to specific nervous stimulation and signals that can be sent through General Somatic Afferent (GSA) Pathways, Special Somatic Afferent (SSA) Pathways, General Visceral Afferent (GVA) Pathways, and Special Visceral Afferent (SVA) Pathways to the brainstem.

​

Furthermore, we see evidence that these signals can be very specific and can help the brainstem reach homeostasis (equilibrium) and seemingly enhance the functions of the brainstem and the reticular nuclei, the monoaminergic and cholinergic nuclei as well as the parabrachial nucleus and periaqueductal gray.